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The Powell Expeditions
When seventeen-year-old Jubilee Walker loses his mother in 1867, he has no idea that during the next two years he will be riding a wagon train across the plains, befriending a Pawnee scout, climbing mountains, and riding the raging rapids of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.
When Jubil initially asks to join a scientific expedition led by Major John Wesley Powell, a family friend, Powell refuses, but Jubil's persistence and resourcefulness eventually win him a place on Powell's crew. Jubil's plans for a life of adventure are complicated, however, by his deepening feelings for his best friend, Nelly Boswell, who is reluctant to spend her life with a man who insists on such a dangerous lifestyle.
How will Jubil navigate the hardships and lawlessness of the American West? And will he be forced to choose between a life of adventure and the girl he loves?
Jubil's story draws on the real-life adventures of naturalist, college professor, and one-armed Civil War veteran Major John Wesley Powell during his Colorado River Exploring Expeditions. Powell became the first explorer to summit Longs Peak in the Colorado Rockies and navigate the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, fixing his place in history as one of America's great explorers.
When Jubil initially asks to join a scientific expedition led by Major John Wesley Powell, a family friend, Powell refuses, but Jubil's persistence and resourcefulness eventually win him a place on Powell's crew. Jubil's plans for a life of adventure are complicated, however, by his deepening feelings for his best friend, Nelly Boswell, who is reluctant to spend her life with a man who insists on such a dangerous lifestyle.
How will Jubil navigate the hardships and lawlessness of the American West? And will he be forced to choose between a life of adventure and the girl he loves?
Jubil's story draws on the real-life adventures of naturalist, college professor, and one-armed Civil War veteran Major John Wesley Powell during his Colorado River Exploring Expeditions. Powell became the first explorer to summit Longs Peak in the Colorado Rockies and navigate the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, fixing his place in history as one of America's great explorers.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
284 pages, Hardcover
Published January 8, 2024
8 people are currently reading
5878 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 9, 2024
A publicist emailed, asking if I’d like to read The Powell Expeditions. I read the description; it was a fictional account of Jubilee (“Jubil”) Walker, an Illinois teen during the post-Civil War period who goes on an expedition West with geologist, soldier, and explorer Major John Wesley Powell. Well sure, that sounded interesting.
The story begins with Jubil becoming orphaned at 17. Unsure what to do next, he ends up following his adventure-loving nature by trying to go on a scouting trip West with John Wesley Powell. But Powell is unwilling to take him due to his age. Jubil takes this in stride and heads west instead with General Sherman. Powell does agree to take Jubil on subsequent expeditions.
We follow the adventures Jubil has on the way, fleeing from Indian encounters, dealing with all that Mother Nature dishes out, interacting with the various characters he travels with, and often eating very little. Jubil realizes that his best friend back home, Nelly, is becoming more to him than just a friend. The two have a sweet bond, although Nelly is reluctant to commit herself further due to her fears over Jubil’s risky lifestyle.
The final expedition tells about the party exploring and mapping out the Grand Canyon. It was interesting to read about how this was done. One or more of the men would climb a canyon wall with instruments to measure its height. Powell had only one arm due to a Civil War injury, but he still climbed, which made me nervous to even read about. The boat trips down the Colorado River through the canyon are described too, and I could only imagine what that would be like. Frequent mishaps resulted in food and instruments being lost as boats smashed against rocks and went over falls. Imagine mapping out this river as your boat traveled through a canyon so narrow that there was no land along a shore to portage your boat. Were you approaching falls so high that you would die as your boat went over them? You had no way to know, yet forging ahead was your only option. I definitely would not have wanted to go on a trip like this!
“The Powell Expeditions” was well-written and is book 1 in a “Jubilee Walker” series, so we’ll get to learn more about Jubil (and Nelly, since they get engaged at the end of the book). I particularly think this would be good for a teen boy interested in the topic. There’s nothing offensive in the book. My only wish would be for an author’s note giving some insight into which elements were true and which were fictional.
The story begins with Jubil becoming orphaned at 17. Unsure what to do next, he ends up following his adventure-loving nature by trying to go on a scouting trip West with John Wesley Powell. But Powell is unwilling to take him due to his age. Jubil takes this in stride and heads west instead with General Sherman. Powell does agree to take Jubil on subsequent expeditions.
We follow the adventures Jubil has on the way, fleeing from Indian encounters, dealing with all that Mother Nature dishes out, interacting with the various characters he travels with, and often eating very little. Jubil realizes that his best friend back home, Nelly, is becoming more to him than just a friend. The two have a sweet bond, although Nelly is reluctant to commit herself further due to her fears over Jubil’s risky lifestyle.
The final expedition tells about the party exploring and mapping out the Grand Canyon. It was interesting to read about how this was done. One or more of the men would climb a canyon wall with instruments to measure its height. Powell had only one arm due to a Civil War injury, but he still climbed, which made me nervous to even read about. The boat trips down the Colorado River through the canyon are described too, and I could only imagine what that would be like. Frequent mishaps resulted in food and instruments being lost as boats smashed against rocks and went over falls. Imagine mapping out this river as your boat traveled through a canyon so narrow that there was no land along a shore to portage your boat. Were you approaching falls so high that you would die as your boat went over them? You had no way to know, yet forging ahead was your only option. I definitely would not have wanted to go on a trip like this!
“The Powell Expeditions” was well-written and is book 1 in a “Jubilee Walker” series, so we’ll get to learn more about Jubil (and Nelly, since they get engaged at the end of the book). I particularly think this would be good for a teen boy interested in the topic. There’s nothing offensive in the book. My only wish would be for an author’s note giving some insight into which elements were true and which were fictional.
January 12, 2025
Enjoyed So Much!
I don’t try a lot of new genres considering how many books are out there, but when the publicist contacted me for a review, I couldn’t find it in myself to say no. They read a previous review of mine and thought I’d like this series, so of course I was curious.
The Powell Expeditions is told in third person perspective, following Jubilee Walker, a young man with a taste for adventure. You dive right in to the February when his mother dies, and follow Jubil’s life chronologically as he has highs and lows, making new acquaintances and dealing with what life decides to throw at him.
I read this book all in one day—start to finish without stopping! The action and suspense made it really easy to keep reading; I wasn’t drained or felt the need to take a break as I sometimes need to do with hefty books.
Jubil is a main character that I could relate to a lot. He says things how they are, he’s smart, and while he thinks about everything in facts rather than feelings, he knows when to hold his tongue and be silent. He’s also very empathetic; I love how despite the time period, he doesn’t subscribe to the beliefs that others have; he makes judgements of people on their own merits—and this behavior is rewarded.
Jubil has a myriad of simple and complex relationships in this first book. There is his childhood friend, Nelly, with whom he is in love but who doesn’t like his life-risking adventures. There is Major Powell, whom he looks up to but who doesn’t think he’s ready for such heavy responsibilities. And he has so many other men and women he meets while on his adventures and builds connections to. He’s so agreeable that it’s easy for him to make friends, even if sometimes it’s a hinderance to his ambition.
Tim Piper’s writing is straightforward and easy to digest. There’s no complicated metaphors or long-winded descriptions. He tells the story like a recounting of an adventure, which suits the plot perfectly. Jubil isn’t the type of person to embellish a story—even though he has every right to tell his adventures in exciting ways—and Piper is the same. The adventures speak for themselves.
The pacing was also quite good. Piper leaps right into the story and doesn’t linger on unnecessary details. Again, this matches the personality of the protagonist, as Jubil is one to go out and take life by the reins rather than wait for opportunities to come to him. Each of the expeditions grows in ambition and excitement, and by the end of this book, Jubil has learned a lot and made so many big steps forward.
For fans of Historical Fiction, especially historical fiction set in the USA, I’d say this is a must-read! Even if you’re not so much a fan of historical fiction, it’s a good book; the information is easy to digest and doesn’t require you to go in with prior knowledge. Highly recommended.
I don’t try a lot of new genres considering how many books are out there, but when the publicist contacted me for a review, I couldn’t find it in myself to say no. They read a previous review of mine and thought I’d like this series, so of course I was curious.
The Powell Expeditions is told in third person perspective, following Jubilee Walker, a young man with a taste for adventure. You dive right in to the February when his mother dies, and follow Jubil’s life chronologically as he has highs and lows, making new acquaintances and dealing with what life decides to throw at him.
I read this book all in one day—start to finish without stopping! The action and suspense made it really easy to keep reading; I wasn’t drained or felt the need to take a break as I sometimes need to do with hefty books.
Jubil is a main character that I could relate to a lot. He says things how they are, he’s smart, and while he thinks about everything in facts rather than feelings, he knows when to hold his tongue and be silent. He’s also very empathetic; I love how despite the time period, he doesn’t subscribe to the beliefs that others have; he makes judgements of people on their own merits—and this behavior is rewarded.
Jubil has a myriad of simple and complex relationships in this first book. There is his childhood friend, Nelly, with whom he is in love but who doesn’t like his life-risking adventures. There is Major Powell, whom he looks up to but who doesn’t think he’s ready for such heavy responsibilities. And he has so many other men and women he meets while on his adventures and builds connections to. He’s so agreeable that it’s easy for him to make friends, even if sometimes it’s a hinderance to his ambition.
Tim Piper’s writing is straightforward and easy to digest. There’s no complicated metaphors or long-winded descriptions. He tells the story like a recounting of an adventure, which suits the plot perfectly. Jubil isn’t the type of person to embellish a story—even though he has every right to tell his adventures in exciting ways—and Piper is the same. The adventures speak for themselves.
The pacing was also quite good. Piper leaps right into the story and doesn’t linger on unnecessary details. Again, this matches the personality of the protagonist, as Jubil is one to go out and take life by the reins rather than wait for opportunities to come to him. Each of the expeditions grows in ambition and excitement, and by the end of this book, Jubil has learned a lot and made so many big steps forward.
For fans of Historical Fiction, especially historical fiction set in the USA, I’d say this is a must-read! Even if you’re not so much a fan of historical fiction, it’s a good book; the information is easy to digest and doesn’t require you to go in with prior knowledge. Highly recommended.
November 19, 2025
The Powell Expeditions is one of those historical novels that doesn’t just recreate a time period—it drops you right into the grit, danger, and restless hope of the American West. Tim Piper takes the bones of real exploration history and threads them through the coming-of-age story of Jubilee Walker, a boy who’s suddenly thrust into adulthood and decides to reach for something bigger than the life he’s handed.
Jubil’s journey begins in heartbreak, but the book never lingers in despair. Instead, it follows his decision to carve out a new path—one that leads him to wagon trains, new friendships, harsh wilderness, scientific expeditions, and the roaring, unpredictable force of the Colorado River. Piper writes these moments with a clean, steady hand: no fluff, no fuss, just the rawness and wonder of a young man testing himself against the frontier.
What I really enjoyed is that Jubil isn’t written as some impossibly rugged Western hero. He’s smart, stubborn, observant, and deeply human—torn between a craving for adventure and the grounding pull of Nelly, his sharp-tongued best friend who’s not entirely sold on dating someone who keeps nearly dying for fun. Their dynamic gives the story a quiet emotional backbone, softening all the danger and dust with something tender.
The history here feels solid without turning into a textbook. Piper captures the exhaustion of long travel days, the unpredictability of river mapping, the tensions simmering across the post-Civil-War West, and the thrill of following Major John Wesley Powell—one of the most fascinating real explorers of the era. The book moves at a brisk pace, balancing action with introspective moments, and it’s surprisingly accessible even if you’re not usually into frontier-era fiction.
By the end, you get the sense that Jubil’s story is only just cracking open. He’s braver, a little wiser, and still standing at the crossroads between who he wants to be and who the world expects him to become.
If you like historical fiction grounded in real events, stories about young protagonists learning to survive in a world bigger than they ever imagined, or novels that mix adventure with a gentle thread of romance, The Powell Expeditions is a thoroughly enjoyable start to a promising series. It’s warm, earnest, adventurous—and exactly the kind of book that makes you want to chase a horizon of your own.
Jubil’s journey begins in heartbreak, but the book never lingers in despair. Instead, it follows his decision to carve out a new path—one that leads him to wagon trains, new friendships, harsh wilderness, scientific expeditions, and the roaring, unpredictable force of the Colorado River. Piper writes these moments with a clean, steady hand: no fluff, no fuss, just the rawness and wonder of a young man testing himself against the frontier.
What I really enjoyed is that Jubil isn’t written as some impossibly rugged Western hero. He’s smart, stubborn, observant, and deeply human—torn between a craving for adventure and the grounding pull of Nelly, his sharp-tongued best friend who’s not entirely sold on dating someone who keeps nearly dying for fun. Their dynamic gives the story a quiet emotional backbone, softening all the danger and dust with something tender.
The history here feels solid without turning into a textbook. Piper captures the exhaustion of long travel days, the unpredictability of river mapping, the tensions simmering across the post-Civil-War West, and the thrill of following Major John Wesley Powell—one of the most fascinating real explorers of the era. The book moves at a brisk pace, balancing action with introspective moments, and it’s surprisingly accessible even if you’re not usually into frontier-era fiction.
By the end, you get the sense that Jubil’s story is only just cracking open. He’s braver, a little wiser, and still standing at the crossroads between who he wants to be and who the world expects him to become.
If you like historical fiction grounded in real events, stories about young protagonists learning to survive in a world bigger than they ever imagined, or novels that mix adventure with a gentle thread of romance, The Powell Expeditions is a thoroughly enjoyable start to a promising series. It’s warm, earnest, adventurous—and exactly the kind of book that makes you want to chase a horizon of your own.
October 18, 2023
286 pages
4 stars
This book is an adventure in reading. I believe it must be set in the 1870’s or so. The Civil War has recently ended. The protagonist is Jubilee “Jubil” Walker. His father died some time ago. His mother is recently deceased. He appears to be in his late teens when we meet him.
Jubil does not like farming. It seems to be the same drudgery day after day. He longs for adventure. When he meets a teacher at the local college, he is taken with an idea.
The teacher, Mr. Powell, is a scientist who, during his summers, explores westward for flora and fauna to discover new and interesting species and to map out the terrain. Jubil badly wants to go along, but the teacher tells him the journey costs $300.00 and only students enrolled in the college are going on the expedition.
Undeterred, Jubil heads out, determined to change Powell’s mind. He lands a job at a local mercantile in Council Bluffs and waits for the Powell party there. He meets many interesting people, among them General Sherman of Civil War fame. Ultimately disappointed, he joins a wagon train that is delivering supplies to a settlement some two weeks' ride away. It is going WEst, and that suits Jubil just fine.
Jubil’s summer adventures land him with the Powell expeditions finally. Traveling West, Jubil experiences all kinds of weather, travails and terrain. He meets a variety of men, some kind, some not so kind. He meets famous personages. He has a wonderful time overall, but as relationships deteriorate, he thinks of the woman he left behind. Perhaps he has worked through his wanderlust.
This is a very good book, well written and plotted. The characters in the story are well drawn. Jubil is an especially likable young man, as is the young woman who is his love interest. I was very pleased when Jubil finally came home and found his new family.
I want to thank NetGalley and Sunshine Parade Publishing for forwarding to me a copy of this very fine book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
4 stars
This book is an adventure in reading. I believe it must be set in the 1870’s or so. The Civil War has recently ended. The protagonist is Jubilee “Jubil” Walker. His father died some time ago. His mother is recently deceased. He appears to be in his late teens when we meet him.
Jubil does not like farming. It seems to be the same drudgery day after day. He longs for adventure. When he meets a teacher at the local college, he is taken with an idea.
The teacher, Mr. Powell, is a scientist who, during his summers, explores westward for flora and fauna to discover new and interesting species and to map out the terrain. Jubil badly wants to go along, but the teacher tells him the journey costs $300.00 and only students enrolled in the college are going on the expedition.
Undeterred, Jubil heads out, determined to change Powell’s mind. He lands a job at a local mercantile in Council Bluffs and waits for the Powell party there. He meets many interesting people, among them General Sherman of Civil War fame. Ultimately disappointed, he joins a wagon train that is delivering supplies to a settlement some two weeks' ride away. It is going WEst, and that suits Jubil just fine.
Jubil’s summer adventures land him with the Powell expeditions finally. Traveling West, Jubil experiences all kinds of weather, travails and terrain. He meets a variety of men, some kind, some not so kind. He meets famous personages. He has a wonderful time overall, but as relationships deteriorate, he thinks of the woman he left behind. Perhaps he has worked through his wanderlust.
This is a very good book, well written and plotted. The characters in the story are well drawn. Jubil is an especially likable young man, as is the young woman who is his love interest. I was very pleased when Jubil finally came home and found his new family.
I want to thank NetGalley and Sunshine Parade Publishing for forwarding to me a copy of this very fine book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
November 11, 2025
THE POWELL EXPEDITIONS (JUBILEE WALKER, #1)
by Tim Piper
In The Powell Expeditions, Tim Piper inaugurates the Jubilee Walker series with a vivid and meticulously researched work of historical fiction. Set in the post–Civil War era, the novel follows seventeen-year-old Jubilee “Jubil” Walker, whose grief and restlessness propel him beyond the confines of his Missouri home. Determined to forge a life of purpose, he persuades family friend and famed explorer John Wesley Powell to include him in the daring expeditions that mapped the uncharted American West. What begins as an escape from sorrow becomes a transformative odyssey marked by endurance, courage, and self-discovery.
Piper writes with precision and clarity, capturing both the peril and majesty of frontier exploration. The descriptions of river travel and wilderness hardship feel grounded in historical authenticity, while the emotional undercurrents—particularly Jubilee’s affection for his childhood friend, Nelly Boswell—lend the narrative warmth and humanity. The novel balances action with introspection, illuminating the tension between the lure of adventure and the comfort of home. By weaving real figures and events into the story, Piper offers a compelling portrait of an era defined by ambition and resilience.
Verdict: The Powell Expeditions is a finely crafted and engaging introduction to Tim Piper’s historical series. Rich in detail and emotional resonance, it offers an invigorating blend of realism and adventure—an admirable beginning that promises greater depth in the volumes to come.
by Tim Piper
In The Powell Expeditions, Tim Piper inaugurates the Jubilee Walker series with a vivid and meticulously researched work of historical fiction. Set in the post–Civil War era, the novel follows seventeen-year-old Jubilee “Jubil” Walker, whose grief and restlessness propel him beyond the confines of his Missouri home. Determined to forge a life of purpose, he persuades family friend and famed explorer John Wesley Powell to include him in the daring expeditions that mapped the uncharted American West. What begins as an escape from sorrow becomes a transformative odyssey marked by endurance, courage, and self-discovery.
Piper writes with precision and clarity, capturing both the peril and majesty of frontier exploration. The descriptions of river travel and wilderness hardship feel grounded in historical authenticity, while the emotional undercurrents—particularly Jubilee’s affection for his childhood friend, Nelly Boswell—lend the narrative warmth and humanity. The novel balances action with introspection, illuminating the tension between the lure of adventure and the comfort of home. By weaving real figures and events into the story, Piper offers a compelling portrait of an era defined by ambition and resilience.
Verdict: The Powell Expeditions is a finely crafted and engaging introduction to Tim Piper’s historical series. Rich in detail and emotional resonance, it offers an invigorating blend of realism and adventure—an admirable beginning that promises greater depth in the volumes to come.
January 15, 2024
I really liked the story of Jubilee/Jubil in this historical fiction read. I love stories about the old days and being able to step back in time. This story starts out with Jubil’s mom having a really bad cold. And she is having a time of it. Jubil is concerned about his mom so he goes to get the doctor to check on his mom. He goes to the doctor and gets some medicine, but there is no change and his mother unfortunately dies leaving Jubil alone in the world.
Enter Major Powell who is a family friend and he wants to go on a scientific expedition to go down the Colorado River and explore it. Jubil wants some adventure in his life so he decides to go with Major Powell on the trip, as a young child he heard the adventuring stories of John Powell. However John Powell doesn’t want to take Jubil along. So Jubil goes on his own trip and expedition to prove himself worthy to John. And he eventually does, so John takes him along on the trip to the Colorado River.
The writing was good in this book for those readers who love the historical problems in the past and how the people lived in those times. The writing is accurate to the timeframe. Also there is a romantic relationship between Jubil and Nelly, his best friend, which I love since I am a huge romance fan and also a fan of historical fiction. I look to see what will happen in the next book in the series as I am wanting to learn what happens to Nelly and Jubil in this next book😊
Enter Major Powell who is a family friend and he wants to go on a scientific expedition to go down the Colorado River and explore it. Jubil wants some adventure in his life so he decides to go with Major Powell on the trip, as a young child he heard the adventuring stories of John Powell. However John Powell doesn’t want to take Jubil along. So Jubil goes on his own trip and expedition to prove himself worthy to John. And he eventually does, so John takes him along on the trip to the Colorado River.
The writing was good in this book for those readers who love the historical problems in the past and how the people lived in those times. The writing is accurate to the timeframe. Also there is a romantic relationship between Jubil and Nelly, his best friend, which I love since I am a huge romance fan and also a fan of historical fiction. I look to see what will happen in the next book in the series as I am wanting to learn what happens to Nelly and Jubil in this next book😊
November 22, 2025
A journey of courage and discovery
Tim’s book is an inspiring adventure crafted exceptionally to describe the American West after the Civil War. Through Walker’s lens, the experiences are exhilarating with his curiosity and courage as he navigates both loss and discovery. The emotions in the novel are deep, which is unique given that this is a historical vision and it speaks to Tim’s careful blending to explain the journey while still making it a compelling read. Each chapter is a rollercoaster in itself, whether it is the mountain climbs or the wagon trains, every one of them brings a thrilling adventure with the different unknown dangers.
The pace is well set and does not slow down even with the vast historical detail and instead it is action packed in realism. Jubilee’s personal journey makes the story memorable as his life experiences show how being an exploratory person does not separate one from real life issues, such as pain and romance. It adds more tension to the story, and through the expeditions, different emotions like resilience, fear and love emerge. It elevates the novel far from being just an adventure book, but also one full of hope, history and heart.
Tim’s book is an inspiring adventure crafted exceptionally to describe the American West after the Civil War. Through Walker’s lens, the experiences are exhilarating with his curiosity and courage as he navigates both loss and discovery. The emotions in the novel are deep, which is unique given that this is a historical vision and it speaks to Tim’s careful blending to explain the journey while still making it a compelling read. Each chapter is a rollercoaster in itself, whether it is the mountain climbs or the wagon trains, every one of them brings a thrilling adventure with the different unknown dangers.
The pace is well set and does not slow down even with the vast historical detail and instead it is action packed in realism. Jubilee’s personal journey makes the story memorable as his life experiences show how being an exploratory person does not separate one from real life issues, such as pain and romance. It adds more tension to the story, and through the expeditions, different emotions like resilience, fear and love emerge. It elevates the novel far from being just an adventure book, but also one full of hope, history and heart.
November 19, 2025
Tim Piper’s The Powell Expeditions begins the Jubilee Walker series with strong historical detail and emotional depth. The story follows seventeen year old Jubil Walker after the death of his mother, as he sets out to join Major John Wesley Powell’s famous expeditions to map the American West.
Jubil is portrayed as enthusiastic, determined, and practical. Although Powell first rejects him, Jubil proves himself through persistence and eventually joins the dangerous Colorado River journey through the Grand Canyon. Piper’s careful research is clear in the descriptions of wilderness challenges and authentic dialogue, helping readers imagine the rapids and the dust of the trail.
The novel combines adventure with personal emotion, especially through Jubil’s growing connection with his childhood friend Nelly. This relationship adds a human element to the larger story of exploration. The book recalls classic frontier tales, showing both the hardships of the era and the spirit of discovery.
This debut is well-suited for readers interested in history and adventure, and it sets the stage for a promising series.
Jubil is portrayed as enthusiastic, determined, and practical. Although Powell first rejects him, Jubil proves himself through persistence and eventually joins the dangerous Colorado River journey through the Grand Canyon. Piper’s careful research is clear in the descriptions of wilderness challenges and authentic dialogue, helping readers imagine the rapids and the dust of the trail.
The novel combines adventure with personal emotion, especially through Jubil’s growing connection with his childhood friend Nelly. This relationship adds a human element to the larger story of exploration. The book recalls classic frontier tales, showing both the hardships of the era and the spirit of discovery.
This debut is well-suited for readers interested in history and adventure, and it sets the stage for a promising series.
November 13, 2025
This book reminds me of the Oregon Trail books I’ve read. I loved Jubil’s excitement and enthusiasm. When he lost his last living relative, his Mom, he dreamed about what to do. He knows farming isn’t for him. He dreams of seeing the Wild West, like his uncle Pete did. His best friend, Nelly, wants to know if he has to come close to death to experience the thrill of life. He wants to join a family friend, Major Powell, and his scientific expedition, but is denied. Not letting that deter him, he heads out on his own and ends up in Council Bluffs, where he finds work in a mercantile. He and his friend decide to open a mercantile in Jubil’s hometown, while Jubile travels with Major Powell’s team. While traveling, meeting all types of new people, he keeps thinking of Nelly and her question. Is Jubil done traveling? Can the job with the mercantile be enough? I’m eager to read the second book.
January 1, 2024
Thank you to Books Forward and Sunshine Parade for my advance copy. My thoughts are my own.
Jubilee Walker grew up hearing tales of his Uncle Pete's adventures with his former Civil War commanding officer Major John Wesley Powell on his naturalist expeditions. Now Uncle Pete is dead and when seventeen-year-old Jubil loses his mother too, nothing remains to tie him down to his Illinois farm. When he approaches Powell to accompany him on his next expedition and is turned down, Jubil embarks on an adventure of his own to try to convince Powell that he would be an asset to his expedition. He gets more than he bargained for when he accompanies a wagon train traveling to resupply US Army forts, but emerges victorious and is invited on Powell's subsequent expedition to navigate the Colorado River.
I found this to be an engrossing and historically accurate fictionalization of the hardships and joys of the West in the 1860s. I loved Jubil's all-too-human longings for adventure and companionship, and his practical nature that made him a valuable member of the expedition and resupplying trips he joins. This story, labelled as the first of a series featuring Jubilee Walker, was very well researched. I felt like I was living right alongside them, so realistic was Piper's description of the mundane, ordinary things. It read like letters from that era, including dialogue. Life is hard--there was so much tragedy. I felt like I was listening to my grandparents reading a book to me in my childhood--the good and the bad presented practically, as facets of the same fully-lived life. I am looking forward to the next installment!
Jubilee Walker grew up hearing tales of his Uncle Pete's adventures with his former Civil War commanding officer Major John Wesley Powell on his naturalist expeditions. Now Uncle Pete is dead and when seventeen-year-old Jubil loses his mother too, nothing remains to tie him down to his Illinois farm. When he approaches Powell to accompany him on his next expedition and is turned down, Jubil embarks on an adventure of his own to try to convince Powell that he would be an asset to his expedition. He gets more than he bargained for when he accompanies a wagon train traveling to resupply US Army forts, but emerges victorious and is invited on Powell's subsequent expedition to navigate the Colorado River.
I found this to be an engrossing and historically accurate fictionalization of the hardships and joys of the West in the 1860s. I loved Jubil's all-too-human longings for adventure and companionship, and his practical nature that made him a valuable member of the expedition and resupplying trips he joins. This story, labelled as the first of a series featuring Jubilee Walker, was very well researched. I felt like I was living right alongside them, so realistic was Piper's description of the mundane, ordinary things. It read like letters from that era, including dialogue. Life is hard--there was so much tragedy. I felt like I was listening to my grandparents reading a book to me in my childhood--the good and the bad presented practically, as facets of the same fully-lived life. I am looking forward to the next installment!
November 23, 2025
THE POWELL EXPEDITION
It is said that the end of a life cycle marks the beginning of another, and in this case, a greater one. This skilfully penned adventure is a rollercoaster of emotions from the very start as Jubilee Walker’s young life is faced with great losses, responsibilities and suppressed dreams. Soon what seemed out of reach was just a thought away.
The author’s vivid descriptions set mood right, from the monotony of the farm work to the horrifying encounter with death in the jungle, immersing us into the world of Walker’s journey. The characters leap off the page, their tones and facial expressions masterfully woven into the narrative. As drama, romance and intense action uunfold, every detail is precisely crafted to keep readers on the edge.
At its core, the story explores powerful themes of obedience, unity and resilience. Walker’s words resonate deeply: “I just don’t want to be so afraid of dying that I don’t truly live.” This book is a must-read for dreamers seeking direction and a beacon of hope for those facing life uncertainties. The author’s mastery shines through in this unforgettable journey, leaving readers pondering their own lives as they turn the final pages.
It is said that the end of a life cycle marks the beginning of another, and in this case, a greater one. This skilfully penned adventure is a rollercoaster of emotions from the very start as Jubilee Walker’s young life is faced with great losses, responsibilities and suppressed dreams. Soon what seemed out of reach was just a thought away.
The author’s vivid descriptions set mood right, from the monotony of the farm work to the horrifying encounter with death in the jungle, immersing us into the world of Walker’s journey. The characters leap off the page, their tones and facial expressions masterfully woven into the narrative. As drama, romance and intense action uunfold, every detail is precisely crafted to keep readers on the edge.
At its core, the story explores powerful themes of obedience, unity and resilience. Walker’s words resonate deeply: “I just don’t want to be so afraid of dying that I don’t truly live.” This book is a must-read for dreamers seeking direction and a beacon of hope for those facing life uncertainties. The author’s mastery shines through in this unforgettable journey, leaving readers pondering their own lives as they turn the final pages.
November 17, 2025
I've read other books in this series, but this is my first time reading Book 1, and I think that this is my favourite so far! The Powell Expeditions introduces Jubil to readers for the first time, and we finally see what makes him tick. Tim Piper did an amazing job exposing his main character's love for exploration and aversion to monotony. We watch as Jubil loses his mother, and how the event leaves Jubil directionless and devastated. Tim does an excellent job of building Jubil into a character that we can root for.
The Powell Expeditions is a book for adventurers, explorers, and those ready to let their imaginations roam as free as Jubil does.
The Powell Expeditions is a book for adventurers, explorers, and those ready to let their imaginations roam as free as Jubil does.
July 19, 2024
I enjoyed this book. This is about 17 year old Jubilee Walker, who became an orphan at the age of 17 when his mother passed away in 1867. Jubilee had been keeping the farm going for his mother since his father passed but found he really did not want to continue being a farmer. He wanted to see the world and have adventures. He found a great adventure when he joined Powel on the first trip through the Grand Canyon by boat. This is an easy read. If you want something more intense read The Emerald Mile. I have read and enjoyed both.
November 17, 2025
Jubil Walker is a seventeen year old from small-town Missouri with dreams of exploring the world. In the Powell Expeditions, that 1800's world comes to life in a beautiful fashion. The Powell Expeditions is a well-researched book, following a main character that's as boisterous as he his likeable, through peril, love, and the Western frontier. This novel will be a dream come true for history buffs, as author Tim Powell clearly researched thoroughly and brought the world to life at the most intimate levels, from societal customs to the physical terrain.
November 18, 2025
The Powell Expeditions is the first book out of four stories following Jubilee Walker. Having already read book 3, I went into this one looking for some much needed backstory, and it didn't dissapoint! The Powell Expeditions explained to us how Jubil left Missouri after losing his mom, and I finally understood the motivation behind his constant longing for exploration. The Powell expeditions also introduced many of the other recurring characters throughout the series, but it was the development and backstory behind Jubil that made me stay. What a great book
November 17, 2025
Tim Piper’s The Powell Expeditions is the first in a series following Jubilee Walker. It introduces us to the character of Jubilee and sets the tone for much of the larger series to come. Author Tim Piper excellently portrays the time period while delivering a narrative that’s heartfelt and lighthearted. Jubil was a compelling main character, strong-willed and fearless, and it was his character which drove most of the story.
June 19, 2024
Thanks to Goodreads for the book!
It is a solid adventure of young Jubil Walker with his triumphs and tribulations of the 1860s life and exploration. This is not my type of genre, so it was a bit slow going for me. With that said, it was very well written with good character development and some exciting expedition adventures.
It is a solid adventure of young Jubil Walker with his triumphs and tribulations of the 1860s life and exploration. This is not my type of genre, so it was a bit slow going for me. With that said, it was very well written with good character development and some exciting expedition adventures.
September 19, 2024
I enjoyed this book and was hoping the main character would survive! This story has led me to thinking about American history. I look forward to reading true accounts of this time period, with the references suggested by the author.
June 4, 2025
Don’t miss out on a ride down the Colorado through the Grand Canyon
Great read full of adventure. I felt as if I was with Jubilee Walker experiencing and exploring the West. Don’t miss this one.
Great read full of adventure. I felt as if I was with Jubilee Walker experiencing and exploring the West. Don’t miss this one.
September 14, 2025
I received this book from voracious readers only, in exchange for an honest review. I enjoy historical fiction and this was a solid read. Interesting characters and quite a tale of adventure and scientific exploration.
August 24, 2024
This is one my Voracious Reads, and so worth it. Couldn't put it down. It gives such a rugged look into that era and some of the adventures he had were incredible. And a bit of romance to boot. He's a very interesting character and so enjoyable to read. Loved this book and would recommend it to everyone.
October 25, 2024
I am a sucker for realistic adventure stories especially when they include heading out into the unknown west. Piper does an excellent job of conveying the danger and realities of the romaticized west without being gratuitous. Sweet family relations and camaraderie harken back to simpler (complicated) times. I'm not sure if The Powell Expeditions is a YA book and I haven't been a YA for some time but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have already bought the second book in the series even though I have almost no interest (as of yet) in Yellowstone.
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